Today I finished reading another book called “Cast of Characters” by Max Lucado. It is a religious based book about common characters in the Bible. It was a quick read. I read it in hopes it would remind me to keep going strong in faith while in prison. I can honestly say it did not disappoint.
I liked how the author quoted many verses from the Bible. One that he discussed is Matthew 5:6 which says, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Being in prison has magnified even more my desire in seeking to be righteous.
A character the author discussed found in the Bible is about the woman at the well. This woman was considered “loose”, but the Almighty still used her to go out into the world to share the Good News of Jesus the messiah. If the Almighty can use her, He can use anyone.
Another character the author reminded me about is Paul. While Paul had his high moments such as speaking to an emperor, he had many misfortunes such as getting stoned almost to death, nearly drowning at sea, starving, and even put in prison. Definitely does not sound like a hero, yet he wrote letters that have been translated in many different languages and spread across the world. Not many people at the time bade farewell to Paul at his death thinking he would be remembered more than a generation.
Another part of this book that resonated with me is when he mentioned how the Almighty gave us freedom. Freedom of choice to where we spend eternity. We did not get to choose our gender, race, or siblings. So while I currently do not have certain freedoms here in prison, I have freedom to choose eternal life over eternal death. What a great privilege that offsets any injustice. It reminds me of Hebrews 4:16 “So let us come boldly to the very throne of God and stay there to receive his mercy and to find grace to help us in our times of need.”
Another great part of this book I enjoyed is when the author describes a courtroom scene where the Father is the judge, Jesus is a guardian requesting care of an orphan, John the gospel author of John is the lawyer, and we are the orphan. After hearing all the evidence, the Judge approves that Jesus can be the guardian of the orphan provided the orphan request it. What a great illustration that tells me the Father has already given us His blessing, now the choice is up to us.
I am glad I read this book. It definitely strengthened me even more since I am very homesick and very concerned about my safety here in the midst of the Delta variant.